EXTRA — THE EXCENTRIC BLOG

What’s Hot in Social Media this Year?

INCREASE YOUR SOCIAL FOOTPRINT IN 2018 WITH THESE
TOP 5 SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS:

Tougher competition, decreased attention spans, plus ever increasing social noise – it’s becoming more and more difficult for brands to stand out from the crowd and to get users’ attention. What’s your differentiator? Are you incorporating these five trends to make an impact in 2018?

1. Ephemeral Content

Content that’s shared for up to 24 hours and then disappears forever – ephemeral content is on the rise thanks to Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook stories. Why? It’s relevant in the moment, allowing brands to be more authentic, driving immediate and higher engagement levels.
For 2018, consider incorporating ephemeral content in your social media content strategy to engage audiences in a more authentic manner.

2. AR Features

The use of Augmented Reality on mobile provides a very engaging way for marketers to connect with their audiences. Take IKEA, for example, introducing a ‘Place’ app, which allows users to preview furniture in their homes before purchasing them. There’s no doubt AR will increase in popularity, and social media will help drive this. Our recommendation is to keep an eye on the big social platforms, such as Facebook, to see which tools and features they are introducing. Then try and find a way to tap into this trend. Always keep your strategy in mind though and ensure AR is a match. Don’t get carried away by a trend, possibly creating confusion and upsetting your audiences.

“Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make,
but about the stories that you tell?”

— SETH GODIN

3. Chatbots

Chatbots give brands the opportunity to interact quickly with their audiences. They can provide instant engagement, in a way that feels personal. Take a moment to picture your customer service levels if you were able to respond to inquiries the minute they were received, 24×7, worldwide.
Consider introducing chatbots for your business this year. Prior to launching, ensure to test them thoroughly on a wide range of potential users. And keep in mind: epic fails do happen. Don’t get discouraged too quickly.

4. Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is a top 5 trend? It certainly isn’t new; however, it’s still increasing in importance. Before you go on the hunt for your social influencers, set clear objectives. Why should you be working with them? Will they deliver the best ROI? Do your diligent research on who to work with. Don’t just look at follower numbers, but ask yourself: Who is trustworthy? Who is authentic? Once identified, focus on building solid relationships with these social influencers that will last beyond 2018.

5. Video

Video content is important, and it’s getting more so by the minute. Last year, 90% of all content shared on social media was video. The challenge when creating video content: You only have a maximum of 3 seconds to capture anyone’s attention. Like with anything though, ensure to incorporate video into your overall strategy. Set clear objectives, and don’t just follow a trend without proper research and planning. Want to increase your social media footprint in 2018 but not sure how to get started? Contact us today to connect with our social media experts.